Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Treat yourself to this sweet-spicy Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip ... it's an easy holiday appetizer that's ready in minutes!
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 192kcal
Ingredients
- 1 large orange
- 2 to 3 large jalapeños
- 1 (12-ounce / 340 grams) bag cranberries
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- 2 (8-ounce / 227 grams) packages cream cheese
Instructions
- Zest orange, then mince zest. Juice orange, then add enough water to juice to equal 1 cup.
- Mince one of the jalapeños, removing seeds if desired. (Set the others aside for the topping.)
- Combine orange juice, minced jalapeño, cranberries, sugar, and ginger in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook until cranberries have softened and most have popped, stirring occasionally (about 10 minutes). Remove cranberry sauce from heat, then set aside to cool completely.
- Place cream cheese on a platter. Top with cranberry sauce.
- Mince or slice remaining jalapeños (use 1 to 2 depending on desired spice level); sprinkle over dip.
- Serve immediately with crackers for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
Skip the jalapeños (or serve them on the side) if you don't like spicy food.
This recipe is super flexible! The cranberry sauce can be prepared with just cranberries, jalapeños, water, and sugar if that's all you have.
The cranberry sauce can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to use. You can also substitute leftover cranberry sauce, if you have it. Just add the jalapeños to the top. Try it with this Easy Cranberry Sauce, Cranberry Orange Sauce, or this Cranberry Relish!
Feel free to used reduced fat cream cheese or Neufchâtel cheese to save a few calories.